Armrest structure for furniture



Nov. 20, 1956 J. G. PLATT 2,771,129

ARMREST STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE Filed Feb. 27, 1955 0 A Q 45 Z4* a `2 if INVENToR, f? 65 Plii.

United States Patent O ARMREST STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE John G. Platt, Carthage, Mo., assignor to Flex--Lators,

Inc., Carthage, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application February 27, 1953, Serial No. 339,231

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-198) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in arm rest structures for chairs, sofas, or any other equipment requiring1 arm rests, and relates particularly to arm rests of the type having cushioning springs overlaid by cushioning material.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of an arm rest structure of the class described adapted for rugged use over long periods of usage without objectionable distortion or breaking down. Generally, this object is accomplished by means 4of novel structure whereby the springs are pre-loaded to resist objectionably great deformation during usage, whereby any spring tension tending to pack or mat the padding material is avoided, and whereby the padding material is adequately supported against working into or around the springs.

Other objects are sturdiness and economy of construction, dependability and eiciency of operation, and adaptability for use wherever an arm rest is required.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view yof an arm rest structure embodying the present invention, with parts broken away to disclose the various elements.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line II-ll of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 2, with the springs untensioned, and the padding and upholstery fabric omitted.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, with the springs tensioned and with the padding and upholstery fabric in position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the burlap mounting means, being an enlarged fragmentary view similar t-o Fig. 3.

Throughout the several views like reference characters refer to similar parts, and the numeral designates a furniture frame structure which serves as a base for the arm rest which is the subject matter of this invention. Base 10 is mounted on the frame 12 of a piece of furniture such as a chair, sofa, or the like. Mounted on base 10 is a serie",l of helical coil springs 14 which are secured to said base at their lower end coils by means of staples 18. The upper coils of said springs 14 are joined together by means of a rectangular frame 22 made of paper covered wire and secured to the coils 20 by means of wire clips 24 such as are commonly known -as hog rings. The upper coils 20 are elongated transversely of the base to increase the top width of the arm rest. The end springs of the series are joined to the frame by means of elongated clips 26 which -add to the rigidity of the structure. A series of spaced apart, transversely disposed wires 28 extend across the frame 22 and are tightly clamped about said frame strands at their Opposite end portions 30. it will be noted that each of these wires ice '2 28 passes through the marginal edge portions 32 of each of a pair of burlap 'strips 34, said burlap strips extending the full length of frame 22 and around the end portions thereof. Said strips are disposed respectively adjacent the sides of the frame and are folded outwardly and downwardly over the edges of the frame. The wires 28 also pass through the wire-reinforced central strand 36, which extends substantially the full length of the arm rest and engages all of cross wires 28 at their central portions.

Should the arm member be of greater width it might be found desirable to provide more of longitudinal strands 36. When the parts are thus far constructed, the burlap member is pulled tightly about base member 10 and tacked to said base at 38 to properly compress springs 14 to provide the `desired degree of pre-loading.

The structure is then ready for the padding 40 which is positioned thereover and covered with a suitable upholstering fabric 42 which is pulled to position and secured to the under side of base 10 by means of tacks 44. The padding extends downwardly over the side porti-ons of the arm rest to form an edge roll to protect the user against uncomfortable pressure from the spring and frame assembly. The upholstery fabric is preferably left a little loose or slack, as compared to burlap strips 34, so as to prevent the tension of the preeloaded springs 14 from compressing and matting the padding 40.

The burlap `strips 34, which are anchored by reason of the fact that they are pierced by the 'transverse wires 28, are folded outwardly and downwardly over the adjacent edges of frame 22, whereby to protect the padding 40 in some degree against friction and wear against the frame and end loops 30 of the wires. Wires 28, besides serving as anchoring means for the burlap strips 34, also serve as a padding support, being spaced sufliciently close together to prevent the padding 40 from working downwardly int-o or between the springs 14. When weight is placed on the arm rest the springs will be compressed and the side walls will be folded, but burlap strips 34 will always function to limit the extension of springs 14 to their initial cornpression. With the parts made of the proper weight of Wire, having the correct initial tension, this arm rest will serve for long periods of time without sagging or losing its shape.

While I have shown a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that many minor changes of structure could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

An arm rest structure comprising a fixed base, a series of coil springs anchored at their lower ends to said base, an open frame member disposed about the margin of said series of springs at the upper ends thereof and secured thereto, a series of parallel, spaced apart transverse wires extending across and secured at their opposite ends to said frame, a pliable strand extending transversely to said wires and connected to each of said wires intermediate its ends, fabric members secured in said frame along their upper edges by reason of the piercing of said fabric by said transverse wires, an-d secured along their lower edges to said base, said fabric members being tensioned whereby to pre-load said springs, padding disposed over said spring assembly, and upholstery fabric disposed over said padding and secured to said base, said transverse wires being closely spaced whereby to prevent said padding from working downwardly into or around said springs, and said upholstery fabric being relatively slack as compared to said spring-loading fabric members.

(References on following page) 3 Referenc'es 'Cited in the le of this patent 2,218,745

UNITED STATES PATENTS 919,201 Montgomery Apr. 20, 1909 423,159 1,414,824 Meutsch May 2, 1922 5 2 576,729 1,846,848 Costigan Feb. 23, 1932 l J 1,915,674 Jones June 27, 1933 2,215,758 Knight et al Sept. 24, 1940 677,631

Detrick Oct. 22, 1940 Caughey July 4, 1944 Shockey July 1, 1947- Shockey Nov. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS France Dec. 18, 1929 

